Truckman&#39;s handle



Jan, 16 1945.

G. C. STERRETT CKMANS HANDLE TRU Filed Aug. 3, 1944 Inventor m, E m r S C m m G Patented Jan. 16, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRUCKMABPS HANDLE George C. Sterrett, Baltimore, Md.

Application August 3, 1944, Serial No. 547,961

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a truckmans handles or load carrying frame for the purpose of facilitating lifting of relatively heavy loads.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved lifting device so designed as to enable the user thereof to more easily grasp and lift heavy objects, such as stoves, ranges, boxes or cartons, bales of cotton, and the like.

An additional object is the provision of such a device which will afford a relatively large extended gripping surface for the user thereof.

A still further object is the provision of a device of this character which may, when not in use, be readily folded so as to-occupy a relatively small space for storage or the like.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein there is disclosed a pre ferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view disclosing an article to be lifted in association with two of the devices comprising a feature of this inventive concept.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, enlarged, of one of the devices shown in Figure 1, a different position of adjustment being indicated by dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the device disclosed in Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughoutthe several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing, a pair of load carrying members are provided with upturned portions H at their lower extremities adapted to engage under the load to be carried, and secured together as by a transverse rod I2 positioned at an intermediate point therebetween. At their upper ends, members II are provided with flanges I 3 bent inwardly at right angles with respect thereto and having their ends curved. as at M to provide relatively cylindrical recesses 15. Suitable grooves l6 are cut through portions [5, flange l3 and the upper portions of members It] to accommodate the ends of a pair of handle members I! provided with twisted extremities iii to form handle gripping portions. Members H are fitted into slots l6 and pivotally secured therein as by pivot pins I8 passed into cylindrical recesses i and through suitable apertures aligned therewith in handle members ll. A transverse bar 20 of rectangular cross section secures handle members I! in related assembly being positionedat an intermediate point between their ends. Bar 20 has a pair of apertures bored therethrough through which are adapted to be passed a pair of normally diagonally disposed rods 2| having loops 22 at their lower ends adapted to encircle rod 12 thus permitting rods 2| to pivot thereon. Rods 2| are provided with enlarged heads 23 at their other extremities to preclude the passage of these extremities through bar 20.

Thus'it will be seen that the carrier or handles when in position for operation form a substantially L-shaped structure, the enlarged heads of rods 2| precluding the handle members I! from passing the right angled position above mentioned. The ends of handle members I! are notched as shown in Figure 2, at 24, to engage grooves l6 and further insure such right angle position.

When it is desired to fold the device for storage, handle members I! are folded downwardly toward the hook-shaped extremities l l of members l0 about pivots I9 until they are substantially in parallelism, such action being permitted by the upward passage of rod 2| through the apertures in bar 20, whereby the device is folded into a relatively small and compact space for storage.

In operation it is preferred that two of the devices be utilized in the manner indicated in Figure 1 with one man grasping each pair of handles I8.

It will now be seen that there is herein provided a truckmans handle or the like which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, which afiords a secure and reliable grip upon the article to be lifted, and which when not in use, may be folded and stored in a relatively small space.

It will also be seen that there is herein provided a construction accomplishing all the objects of this device and others including many advantages of great practical utility.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a load carrying frame, in combination, a pair of load carrying members, a pair of handle members pivotally secured thereto, a transverse rod securing said load carrying members together, a bar having a pair of apertures therethrough securing said handle members together, a pair of rods passed through said apertures and pivotally secured to said first-mentioned rod whereby said handle members may be pivoted toward and away from said load carrying members, and means comprising enlarged heads on each of said pair of rods of greater diameter than said apertures precluding pivoting of said handle members beyond a position at right angles to said load carrying members.

2. In a load carrying frame, in combination, a pair of load carrying members, upwardly turned load supporting hooks at the extremities thereof, inwardly turned flanges at the other extremities thereof, said flanges having grooves therein, a pair of handle members adapted to engage in abutting relation in said grooves, pivots pivotally securing said pairs of members in related assembly, a transverse rod securing said load carrying members together, a bar having a pair of apertures therethrouglr securing said handle members together, a pair of rods passed through said apertures and pivotally secured to said first-mentioned rod whereby said handle members may be pivoted toward and away from said load carrying members, and means including the abutment of said handle members in said grooves and enlarged heads on each of said pair of rods of greater diameter than said apertures precluding pivoting of said handle members beyond a position at right angles to said load carrying members.

GEORGE C. STERRE'I'T. 

